Yellow Banksia Roses. Photo - Linda Ross
Wild roses - Banksia
The most popular of this group of six rose species from China is the almost-thornless climber, the Yellow Banksia Rose (Rosa banksiae lutea) which
has sprays of small sulphur-yellow flowers. We love it grown over an entry arch or along a veranda; it is the first rose to come into flower in late
winter.
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Old garden roses – Gallica/Damask/Moss
This group of old roses have grown in the gardens of Europe and Asia for hundreds of years. Travellers brought together species that would never have met
naturally in an era of cross-breeding that created many beautiful roses. ‘William Lobb’, is a vigorous moss rose from 1855. We love its strong scent.
William Lobb. Photo - Linda Ross
Old garden roses – China
A Swiss botanist found Rosa chinensis mutablilis growing at Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore in Italy in 1934 and from there it spread through European
gardens. It grows into a large spreading bush with butterfly-like flowers that open yellow and turn pink then crimson. We love its open-hearted flowers,
tough nature and long flowering period.
Rosa chinensis mutabilis.Photo - Linda Ross
Modern garden rose – Polyantha
‘Cecile Brunner’ was named after the daughter of Swiss rose breeder Ulrich Brunner in 1881. Often misnamed Cecil, this rose, like the rest of the polyantha
group, is a low shrub bush covered with a profusion of perfectly formed flowers on trusses. It also comes as a climber. We love its sweet, clove-spiced
scent.
Cecile Brunner. Photo - Linda Ross
Modern garden rose - Hybrid tea
Also known as large-flowered roses, these have large blooms on single stems in small clusters. ‘Peace’, created in 1942 by the Meilland family, became
the hallmark of this type of rose and the most popular rose ever sold. It thrives whatever the weather, and is also available in a climbing form.
Peace. Photo - Linda Ross
Modern garden rose – Modern English
‘Golden Celebration’ is a repeat-flowering, deep golden yellow rose with a strong fragrance. The rose breeder David Austin bred it from ‘Abraham Darby’
and ‘Charles Austin’ in 1992. It is just one of hundreds of David Austin roses that match old-fashioned English style with vigorous growth habits.
Golden Celebration. Photo - David Austin Roses
Text: Libby Cameron